Flexible data columns

LisaGreen
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Flexible data columns

Post by LisaGreen »

Hi,

This is a technique methodology question.

If I had a row of data with say 10 columns of data, what might be a way of altering the order of the columns along with the relevant data items. Ideally I'd like to define a string..
"Length/Type/Duration/Start Time/Name/Date/Channel/Index Number/Author"
.. say, and be able to change the order the data is presented in in the headings and columns by altering just the string.

Any suggestions and thoughts appreciated..
TIA
Lisa

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BobH
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Re: Flexible data columns

Post by BobH »

There is probably an obvious answer, but why not just sort the columns instead of the rows?
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HansV
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Re: Flexible data columns

Post by HansV »

Would you have the string in a cell, and have Excel change the column order automatically when the cell is edited?
If not, how would it work?
Best wishes,
Hans

LisaGreen
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Re: Flexible data columns

Post by LisaGreen »

> How would that work

You're right. There has to be a link between what the data represents and where it's put on the sheet. Ie.. The columns in the data must be named somehow. It's a kludge but maybe I'll go with the first row.

OTOH perhaps I'll try and use SQL in excel and ORDINAL though I think there still needs to be some connection. hmmmmm.

Will have a lookie.

Thanks for prompting me Hans.

LIsa

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p45cal
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Re: Flexible data columns

Post by p45cal »

Lisa, try changing the string in cell E1 of the attached and observe the table below.
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ChrisGreaves
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Re: Flexible data columns

Post by ChrisGreaves »

LisaGreen wrote:
15 Nov 2021, 00:12
This is a technique methodology question.
Hi Lisa. Notwithstanding the immediately practical suggestions above, I think that you are thinking of a "Data Descriptor" for which the web has several indexed pages. You might afterwards narrow your search to "VBA Data Descriptor" . That ought to bring you around to the VBA TYPE/END TYPE statement for ideas.
Some people call this "dealing with meta-data, which I suppose it is, but your idea of "Length/Type/Duration/Start Time/Name/Date/Channel/Index Number/Author" seems to be defining some data which (definition) is itself data to be manipulated.

Closer to home: when I call a VBA procedure passing the parameters ByRef[erence}, I think of those parameters as data descriptors.
Cheers
Chris
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